The Honorable Woman: Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 24 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 94 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 94 Ratings

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The Honourable Woman

Now Playing: The Honourable Woman

Season Details & Credits

BBC Two | Sundance Channel | SundanceTV | Season Premiere Date: July 3, 2014

Summary: Long-held secrets threaten to be spilled as Israeli-British CEO Nessa Stein (Maggie Gyllenhaal) finds her company under investigation by MI5 after the suspicious death of a Palestinian business associates.

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E8. The Paring Knife
Air Date: September 28, 2014
tbd
S1:E7. The Hollow Wall
Air Date: September 11, 2014
tbd
S1:E6. The Mother Line
Air Date: September 4, 2014

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Jul 31, 2014

This demanding and deliberately paced thriller (written and directed with ruthless intelligence by Hugo Blick) stands apart and above the glut of original programming. With its urgently compelling mysteries and shocking reveals, it's the equal of last summer's brilliant Broadchurch. Read full review

Sonia Saraiya

Jul 31, 2014

The series is ambitious and shaggy--those two go hand-in-hand--but despite its blurry spots, The Honorable Woman is hard not to watch all the way through. The story sucks viewers in farther and farther down a rabbit hole that does not end. Read full review

Dan Fienberg

Aug 1, 2014

The Honorable Woman is really a thriller and, at its best, it's on a level with something like "Homeland" at its best. Read full review

David Hinckley

Jul 30, 2014

Writer/director Hugo Blick skillfully walks the hairline between a well-paced adventure thriller and a psychological study that gives us enough time to appreciate the nuances of the character we're watching. Read full review

David Hiltbrand

Jul 31, 2014

The almost contemplative tone of the piece makes the suspenseful moments jump off the screen. But the pace, which is decidedly deliberate to begin with, slows about halfway through, as the political becomes deeply personal. Read full review

Gail Pennington

Jul 31, 2014

The Honorable Woman is intriguing from the start, but almost in spite of itself, as everyone seems to have a dark secret and nothing is what it seems. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Jul 29, 2014

The Honorable Woman certainly doesn’t evoke any enmity. The problem, rather, is that it doesn’t provide enough thrills or momentum to completely reward the viewing commitment of its friends. Read full review

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User Score

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7.9

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Mixed:

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User Reviews

bruceylegs

Aug 1, 2014

Faustian pacts, Shakespearean tradgedy and a Game of Thrones-sized cast of characters all wrapped in a conspiracy that will have the NSA reaching for their notebooks. You have to wonder at the horrible symmetry of the storyline and ongoing events in Gaza. I don't know how it will will twistFaustian pacts, Shakespearean tradgedy and a Game of Thrones-sized cast of characters all wrapped in a conspiracy that will have the NSA reaching for their notebooks. You have to wonder at the horrible symmetry of the storyline and ongoing events in Gaza. I don't know how it will will twist and turn next but you can be sure the small man/woman probably won't come out on top. A classic in the making.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

Maxaman5

Oct 13, 2014

This is the type of show DVD collections were made for. And also for PVR'ing. Languid yet lush cinematography where nearly almost every scene is bathed in a type of eerie silence that seems coiled to burst with violence at almost any time. Dangerous relationships, secret passions and theThis is the type of show DVD collections were made for. And also for PVR'ing. Languid yet lush cinematography where nearly almost every scene is bathed in a type of eerie silence that seems coiled to burst with violence at almost any time. Dangerous relationships, secret passions and the unraveling of a mystery is perfect for "power watching" on DVD. In fact, recording is recommended as the tension is taut, and you may want to watch a scene over again as a single inaudible word might be the difference in following the plot portents or losing it. Plus some parts just demand to be seen again, with excellent camera work, luxurious lighting and dramatic scenery and flawed characters with secrets to maintain while trying to 'keep it all together' in the midst of crisis and remaining warm and human meaning they come across as human and real. One gets the feeling one is in the middle of a feature length film by the time the ending of each episode arrives with a crashing cymbal sound inducing halt. Enough to stoke you for the next episode. It is a very well done series. Original, mysterious and sexy. TV never had it so good until 'The Honorable Woman' arrived on scene.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

podaddy

Sep 18, 2014

Excellent show. Great story, and it's a tad puzzling that a few naysayers claimed THW is plotless. It's a rich story line, smarter than 99% of tv shows these days, and the acting is top notch. Definitely a slow burn sort of show, but well worth devoting your couch potato time to.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

foxgrove

Aug 11, 2014

An enthrallingly dense and topical political thriller which rewards attentive viewers. The writing is intelligently complex and doesn't show its hand too soon enabling the 8 part drama to sustain interest right up to the end. Occasionally one has to pause to make sense of key scenes butAn enthrallingly dense and topical political thriller which rewards attentive viewers. The writing is intelligently complex and doesn't show its hand too soon enabling the 8 part drama to sustain interest right up to the end. Occasionally one has to pause to make sense of key scenes but generally this is quality adult entertainment. The Performances are great, but if Maggie Gyllenhaall doesn't win a cabinet full of awards for her career best turn then there will be no justice. She has never before given such a dynamic performance and this will certainly put her on the map. With an impeccable English accent she is FANTASTIC!! If this was a film the Oscar would be hers.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

mani8kgm

Jan 7, 2015

I give it all its marks for how it compels. For how it rivets. But it's simply too much. I wasn't dtelighted it was over, more like relieved! It's not a must-watch, but it'll grab your attention if you do!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

ctspectator

Aug 5, 2014

Maggie Gyllenhall and cast execute their roles perfectly in this political/spy thriller. The unfolding of events happen very quickly, almost too quickly, so you will want to be paying attention. The writing is masterfully done as not to be over-the-head of the average TV viewer, but stillMaggie Gyllenhall and cast execute their roles perfectly in this political/spy thriller. The unfolding of events happen very quickly, almost too quickly, so you will want to be paying attention. The writing is masterfully done as not to be over-the-head of the average TV viewer, but still appealing to the more high-brow. Cinematically, this is one of the best shows airing at the moment.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

dyrtyredd

Sep 15, 2014

Boring. That's the best word to describe this show. There's not much going on except a personal secret s involving the two main characters who are siblings. If you want to watch a show about cheating, affairs, lies, and illegitimate children that moves at a snails pace, here's your show. IBoring. That's the best word to describe this show. There's not much going on except a personal secret s involving the two main characters who are siblings. If you want to watch a show about cheating, affairs, lies, and illegitimate children that moves at a snails pace, here's your show. I made it through 6 hour long episodes of which there were probably 20 minutes worth of watchable material in total. Won't be surprised to see it cancelled.… Expand

4 of 10 users found this helpful46

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

82

Series Overview
Season 1

82
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: July 3, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E8. The Paring Knife
  Air Date: September 28, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E7. The Hollow Wall
  Air Date: September 11, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E6. The Mother Line
  Air Date: September 4, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E5. Two Hearts
  Air Date: August 28, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E4. The Ribbon Cutter
  Air Date: August 21, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E3. The Killing Call
  Air Date: August 14, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E2. The Unfaithful Husband
  Air Date: August 7, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E1. The Empty Chair
  Air Date: July 31, 2014